Some friends have had us (or just me if Betsy out of town) over for dinner a half dozen times since we started on kitchen. So last week we took them out to Saint George in Hastings for dinner. Free BYO night, and we had a nice meal- split some oysters, then I had escargot and lamb chops

2007 Sauzet Chassagne-MontrachetFound a couple forgotten bottles, a bit longer than I usually hold white Burg now. But this worked out- no premox here, white pear fruit with a touch of lemon, good stony finish. Quite fun. B+

Some other jazz musicians offered Ron a taste, but my glass was full, but not sure I’m disappointed to miss a blend from “Sicily, Veneto, and Puglia” that is a Luca Maroni (the James Suckling of Italy) 98. Probably not my style.

Betsy left for the Stamford train station (getting her niece as a surprise for her sister), dropped me at my local tasting group. Theme was SW France.

Greeted with a pleasant rose where I didn’t see bottle, and an offtheme bottle, the 2011 Pahlmeyer Merlot. Black berries and blue berries, chocolate pudding, some tannin, low acid. Not my style, some others loved., C+

Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C drinkable. Anything below C means I wouldn't drink at a party where it was only choice.Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.